Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-06
NORTH CAROLINA.
NETTING OF THE LEafsEAruRE-Ax
1xcIrrNG DAY.
The Contest for tho speakership Of the
House = Webster independently
Elected-His Position.
rspeclal .elsernm % enc plspateh.l

morning tue DtthVtfdtiC pittl w WV tt""sc
went into caucus 10 the hall OF the House.
II was decided 10 maintain an inflcxible
attitude, as agreed on last night, when
Oyerman was made the candidate for
Speaker, and never to yield an inch or
make any concessions to The Independents.
The Republican members Of the House
went into the Senate chamber and took
formal vote on the question OF J. X. Web
ster for Speaker. Though some straight
ont Radicals desired York nominated, yet
they were whipped into line, and Webster
was accepted as the candidate for Speaker.
As you were advised last night, bis sclec-
ton was at that time made, but this was
merely q ratification OF that action. Demo-
c, atic senators held caucus at the agrl.
cultural building. They took proper steps
TO block the Radicals game, and spoiit
their plans. All interest centered In the
House organization.
TIE HOUSE MEETS.
At noon that body met. John ID. Cam
eron, OF Asheville, principal clerk OF the
last House, o..red 1t TO order. The scene
was a remarkably animated one. The lob
bies were packed. Many prominent poll
ticisns were present. Governor Scales was
a deeply interested spectator. On tue Re-
publican side OF the House were ex-Goy-
ernor Brogdon and Tyre York, and Just
behind the latter j. X. Webster. On the
Democratic side prominent seats were occu-
pied by T. M. Holt, John NJ. Worth, Lee s.
Overman, Henry Il. Fries, A. Leazer, Col.
onel Long, OF Cabarrus, aud Richmond
Pearson. On the outer edge OF the Republic
can side was fringe OF dusky faces
Of the sixteen colored members OF the
House. The first thing done was the call
Of the roll. IT was found that some GER
tlfcates OF election were not sealed, but
only signed by the sheriff. IL was found
that all OF the 120 members were present
and in their seats save two-D. ID. Coffey,
Of Caldwell county, and Allen Jordan, oil
Montgomery. The former is kept at home
by broken thigh, and can hardly be here
during the session.
TWO CERTIFICATES.
Clerk Cameron read two certificates OF
election fIom Craven county-0ne pre-
scented by w. Is. Lane DEMOCRACY. the
other by John Il. Hussey (Republican).
The clerk decided for the present TO admit
Lane, and he was accordingly sworn in.
Hussey's credentials were returned 10 him,
and be withdrew, pending further action.
In the case OF Surry county notice was
given OF the contest OF the seats OF Shad-
rach Franklin Democrat), who took the
oath. Notice was also given OF the contest
OF the seat Of w. W. Farmer, Democratic
member from Wilson county. The latter
was sworn In. 1t was 1880 O'Clock when
Clerk Cameron declared the House duly
organized for business.
NOMINATIONS.
He called for nominations for Speaker.
The excitement at this point grew more
intense. Nathaniel Macon, OF Franklin
county, rose on the Republican side and
nominated John x. Webster. He made no
speech. A. Leazar (Democrat) nominated
Lee S. Oyerman. He made an eloquent
speech, in the course OF which he said the
PEOPLE were waiting to see whatthe Demo-
Gratis would do. The interest I'm this con-
test Is caused by the fact that eight inde-
pendents hold the balance OF power In the
House. These men have always protested
TO be Democrats. Now Is the time when they
can demonstrate loyalty to that party.
" AS the tree falls so shall 1t lie."
Il heers on the Democratic si0e.l
There are two roads for the independents
one leading straight to the Democratic
party, the other 10 the Republican party.
There will never be more than two political
parties in North Carolina-the Democratic
and the Republican. To the Independents
he said: "Vote for Overman, and the
Democrats are your friends; vote against
him, and they are your enemies" He paid
Oyerman the highest compliments as
man, as a Democrat, and as parlla-
mentarian.
THE INDEPENDENTS.
Nat. Macon sprung to his feet as soon a.
Leazar ceased to speak, and said that the
Independents knew what they were doing
when they put Webster forward. He
claimed that the Independent party repre-.
scented the old stripes Of Democracy-the
government OF the people, by the
people, and for the people. [Cheers
on the Radical side.] He said the
Independents did not intend to be stIg-
matt ed and told what to do. They would
bew to the line, let the chips fall where
they might.
Colonel Il. NJ. Holt seconded OveTmau's
nomination and urged his opponents to lay
aside prejudice for a little while and listen
10 reason. He referred to Oyerman's
marked ability as a presiding officer and
said the State needed his services.
WEBSTER EXPLAINS.
Mr., Webster rose, and amid dead silence
asked TO be allowed 10 personally explain
bls position before the vote was taken in
Justice to himself and his noble constituent
CIV. He was not present 10 antagonize the
fundamental ideas which underlie the
Democratic creed Of faith. but TO autago-
nize one or two special objects. He had
all through the campaign proiessed allegi-
ance TO the Democratic party. He bad
he same ideas still, and had nothing
TO take back. lie stood with Sam. Randall
on national politics save as 10 the Blair bill,
which he favored. In State politics he stood
with the Democrats with two exceptions
one being OH the county. government ques-
ton; vet as to the latter he did not favor the
total repeal OF the law. lie had not So
lcited the vote OF single man. lie had
made no entangling alliances. IL elected
Speaker it would be upon the platform OF
an independent Democrat, under no obli-
CATION to religion, party, or set Of men,
with no intention OF manipulating commit
tees or appointments. He had preferred to
be upon the floor, but his party had pushed
him for Speaker.
On tue htpuUllCdu eiic tHClC WS SlCbb
applause at Webster's remarks.
ANINcIsTvE SPEECH.
As soon as he finished DIR. Worth rose
and made an incisive speech. He spoke OF
The Independents, aud said ne knew some
good ones, but desired TO express his opin-
ion OF q man who, like Webster, would al
low himself to be used by the Republican
party to defeat the Democrats. For such
men he would only say, Lord have mercy
upon them. [Great applause and laughter.l
BAILoTTING.
At2 O'Clock balloting began, Leazar aud
Macon acting as tellers. The closest atten-
ton was paid during the progress OF the
vote. There were cheers on the Demo.
cratic side as Long Of Cabarrus. Parham OF
Chatham, and Walters of Beaufort, all In
dependents, voted for Oyerman. 1t was
announced that Overman and Webster
were paired. The Republican side cheered
loudly when Richmond Pearson voted Tor
Webster.
WEBSTER ELECTED.
The vote was announced to be: Web
ster, So; Overman, 81. At this there was
much cheering on the Republican side,
with Kisses on the Democratic side. The
clerk declared Webster elected. The lat.
ter was escorted TO the char by Overman
and Brogden, and spoke very briefly. He
said he was very proud OF the compliment
paid him in his election. He declared his
purpose to so fill the Office OF Speaker that
good, and good alone, shall come TO the
Stoto ~ Norfh Carolina He honah thai